OMAHA – With the United States' new national figure skating champs crowned, attention now turns to the world championships in March, which will determine how many spots the U.S. has at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

To earn three spots in a discipline, the U.S. needs to finish with placements that total 13 or less (for example, a second-place finish and an 11th). So what did we learn about the team's prospects?

The U.S. women are sending their best possible team to worlds. "You have a combination of a girl with good international experience and results (Ashley Wagner) and potentially a wonderful young skater (Gracie Gold)," said John Nicks, Wagner's coach.

The last time the U.S. women totaled 13 or less was the 2008 worlds. Their failure in 2009 ultimately led to Wagner missing out on a trip to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. The U.S. women had only two Olympic spots and Wagner finished third at the 2010 nationals.

Given that experience, Wagner, 21, is especially motivated to succeed at worlds and end the Americans' medal drought. An American woman hasn't won a world or Olympic medal since 2006.

Wagner, who won her second national championship Saturday, finished fourth at worlds last year. There may be reason for concern this time after four falls in her past two free skates. She can't afford such mistakes given the loaded field at worlds, including returning Olympic champion Kim Yu-na, two-time world champion Mao Asada and reigning world champion Carolina Kostner,

"I think that this lights the fire in my belly to keep on pushing through to worlds," Wagner said.

Much is expected of Gracie Gold, 17, the breakout star at nationals, especially after her transcendent free skate. After a fall on a triple jump during her short program put her in ninth place, a chance for a medal seemed out of reach. But after nailing seven triple jumps in her free skate, Gold launched into second place and earned a spot on the world team. Gold knows she belongs, but she still has to prove she can shine when the pressure is full throttle.

There was great anticipation before her first senior Grand Prix in October, but nerves led to her undoing and she finished seventh. At Gold's next international competition, not as much was expected given her shaky debut; she left with a silver medal. The same pattern held at nationals.

Gold, a natural jumper, has the goods. Her coach Alex Ouriashev said she's already one of the best technical skaters in the world. But will she deliver at the biggest competition of her career? If so, expect the U.S. women to send three skaters to the Sochi Olympics.

Expectations are much lower for the men. At 20, Max Aaron, the USA's unexpected national champ, is an international unknown on the senior level. But he believes his jumping ability – he landed two quads in his winning free skate – is on par with the best in the world, though his artistic elements are lacking.

"He has more artistic ability than what he shows, and I think the programs next year will reflect that," said his coach Tom Zakrajsek.

Ross Miner, a two-time U.S. bronze medalist, has been the most consistent male skater this season -- and he can land a quad. Two years ago at worlds, he finished 11th. Given the inexperience of both skaters on the big stage, the U.S. men are a long shot to finish a combined 13 or better.

Pairs, as usual, is the greatest weakness as the U.S. has been irrelevant in the discipline for much of the past decade. With its top team, Caydee Denney and John Coughlin, missing nationals due to Couglin's recent hip surgery, their next competition won't be until worlds. They finished third in their last two Grand Prix competitions.

"We recognize our pairs program needs work and we need to provide more resources for that program," said U.S. Figure Skating president Patricia St. Peter.

Then there's dance, where the U.S. is a power. After becoming the first American ice dancers to win the world gold in 2011, Meryl Davis and Charlie White are determined to win a second title.

They had to settle for silver last year behind Canada's Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. With Davis and White leading the way, the U.S. should win three spots at next year's Olympic Games.